Adjustable Washer Set

ABSTRACT

My invention is an apparatus to aid in the installation of back mount faucets to a sink. It is made of three parts: two washers and a set of screws. When used with common plumbing fittings, they allow a user to fill the gap between the back of the sink and the common fittings used to attach a water line.

BACKGROUND

The current way of installing back mount faucets is difficult, due to the lack of hardware provided with the installation kit, and the tight space between the back of the sink and the wall. Other options available do not securely mount the faucet, make it difficult to level the faucet, and tend to cause leaks at the water connections.

SUMMARY

The present invention seeks to provide a solution to these problem(s) by providing a product to aid in the installation of back mount faucets to a sink, allowing for secure mounting, leveling and a leak free installation by a user.

The invention consists of a stack of two washers, one of which is flat, and one is tapped with holes for screws. When used together with common plumbing fittings, they allow a user to fill the gap between the back of the sink and the common fittings used to attach the water line.

Preferably, the washers are made of 11-gauge steel, with a 2.855 inch outer diameter and a 0.957″ hole in the center of each washer. Preferably, they are powder coated to prevent corrosion. One washer is tapped with holes for screws that allow for the adjustment of the thickness of the washer stack and fills the space between the back of the sink and the common plumbing fittings, which in turn secures the faucet to the sink.

The present invention will now be more particularly described, with reference to the accompanying drawings, by way of example only and in no way limiting the scope of the invention, in which:

FIG. 1

Illustrates a backer washer which functions to prevent the set screws from the star-shaped washer from denting the back splash of the sink. The backer washer also has a hole to allow fittings to pass through and attach to the back of the faucet.

FIG. 2

Shows a washer that is tapped with holes for screws. This is the component that is adjusted when the set screws are turned in, expanding and filling the gap between the back of the sink and the water line connection. Standard fittings will pass through the hole in the center of this washer and connect to the water line.

FIG. 3

Represents the invention when the components are installed against the back of a sink.

FIG. 4

Represents the application of the invention with the use of standard plumbing fittings. This view is from the back side of a sink back splash which is normally a tight space hidden from view against a wall.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Referring to the drawings, there is shown an adjustable washer set 10, which has a backer washer 12, a tapped washer 14, and a set of screws 16.

The backer washer 12 is for protecting. The device 10 is a washer set to aid in the installation of faucets. Preferably, the backer washer 12 is in place to protect the screws 16 from denting the back splash 26 of the sink. Preferably, the backer washer 12 is made of 11-gauge steel, and is powder coated any color to protect against corrosion. It is feasible to use a thinner or thicker gauge metal alloy, or to use other means to protect against corrosion. The backer washer 12 has a hole 18 which allows a ½″×close brass nipple 20 to pass through as it attaches to the threaded connection at the back of the faucet. It is feasible for the backer washer 12 to be another shape. It is feasible to use the device without the backer washer 12.

The tapped washer 14 holds the screws 16 in place and allows for the adjustment of the device. Preferably, the tapped washer 14 is made of 11-gauge steel, and is powder coated any color to protect against corrosion. It is feasible to use a thinner or thicker gauge metal alloy, or to use other means to protect against corrosion. It is feasible for the tapped washer 14 to be round or another shape.

There are a number of holes 22 punched in the tapped washer 16 that allow for the screws 16 to pass through and tighten against the backer washer 12. Preferably, the screws 16 are a socket-head screw to prevent stripping. It is feasible to use screws a with a different type head.

The tapped washer 14 has a hole 24 which allows a pipe nipple to pass through and connect to the water line via a sink ell or brass 90.

The invention will now be described in use, with reference to a preferred embodiment.

The installation process requires one set of washers each for the hot and the cold side of the faucet. Each side will require a ½″×close brass nipple 20 and a sink ell 28 or brass threaded 90, both of which are standard plumbing fittings. The faucet has a ½″ female threaded connection of the back of it, which the close brass nipple 20 will thread into the pass through the back splash 26 of the sink, and through the holes in both the backer washer 12 and the tapped washer 14, then thread into a sink ell 28 or brass 90. These fittings are needed to turn down in the tight space behind the back splash 26. Once all of the threaded fittings are tight, the screws 16 on the tapped washer 14 are screwed in and tightened, which will expand and fill the gap, securing the faucet against the backer washer 12 and the sink back splash 26.

The embodiments described above are provided by way of example only, and various other modifications will be apparent to persons skilled in the art. 

1. What I claim as my invention is an apparatus for securing back mount faucets to a sink, comprising: one washer with a center hole made of a metal alloy and covered with a protective coating and; one washer with a center hole made of a metal alloy and covered with a protective coating and tapped with holes for screws and; three or more screws to secure the washers in place. 